Page 13 - Service Delivery Review_Volume 14_Number 3_2022

Public Service Digital Skilling

adequate attention is paid to existing powerful positions in business, in communities to access online train-
gender divisions and if equal oppor- the technology sector and entrepre- ing. The campaign calls on individu-
tunities are assured. neurship, yet we see few successful als and corporates alike to ‘Pay Your
women who have made it in the in- Device Forward’ and donate new/old
“Having come from humble begin- dustry. I want to change the narrative devices like laptops, smartphones,
nings growing up in Soweto, I believe for young women to one where you WiFi routers and tablets to enable
in shaping the future and enriching do not need to be linked to a man to continuous skills development for
lives by developing and empowering become successful.” disadvantaged youth.
young black women by both giving
access to education and showing As the chairperson of the non-profit Determined to be an icon of hope,
what is possible in my career,” says 4IR4Her – a Dynamic DNA pro- Prudence is in the front rank of em-
Prudence. gramme that brings women empow- powering women to empower others
erment, female youth, and women by equipping young previously
For many young women, it is hard in technology together - Prudence is disadvantaged women with the right
to envision someone on TV, who intentionally moving women towards skills for the future.
appears to be so different, and aspire different 4IR technological opportuni-
to be just like them. Prudence hopes ties in streams like robotics, artificial “ICT skills are greatly needed to build
that by teaching young women to intelligence, cybersecurity and UX/ our economy and there are many
see the bigger vision of what they IX by assisting them to equip them- scarce skills that are needed to do
can become we will see more young selves with key skills for the future. this. I believe the business and ICT
women in positions of real power. Currently, there are 15 women in the sectors could drive youth employ-
“When people look at black women programme. ment through technology skills if
excellence, they want to see a pic- they wanted to,” she says.
ture”, says Prudence. “There is a gap “It is a crucial part of the learning jour-
through which women can take on ney to be paired up with an entrepre- When you look at the employment
neur who is successful in the tech or challenges in South Africa today
business space to learn the key les- the most common reason why our
sons you can never be taught from unemployment levels are so high is
a book. How to manoeuvre through because of a lack of skills in indus-
your day as a businesswoman, how tries related to the booming 4IR area.
to diversify revenue streams if you Businesses need to set up sustain-
are self-employed, what to do when able ways to digitise and young
you see risks to your business, what people need to be fully equipped
contingency plans you need and so with skills that will still be relevant
on.” over the coming decades. Prudence
hopes that by equipping our youth
Pay your device forward properly for powerful positions as
Prudence believes firmly that Cov- entrepreneurial leaders we will see
id-19 should not become yet another greater success for all. ■
barrier black women have to over-
come to receive the education they To find out more go to www.dynamicdna.co.za
are entitled to. However, there is no or contact Dynamic DNA on 27 (0) 11 759 5940
doubt that it has affected learning or at enquiries@dynamicdna.co.za
and skills development around the
world, emphasising new models of
distance learning and training which
may be unfamiliar to those without
access to the necessary technol-
ogy. In this context it is the respon-
sibility of businesses to ensure our
underprivileged youth do not get
left behind. In response to this shift
in the landscape, Dynamic DNA in
partnership with COMETSA Friends
and Supporters Club NPO and Kaya
FM launched a campaign that will
enable learners from disadvantaged

Volume 14 No.3 of 2022 | SERVICE DELIVERY REVIEW 13